The National tribune., 1887-12-08
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on Variety Of interesting
Subjects.


ITO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES questions on sep
arate sheet OF paper, give full name and address,
and mark 1t Correspondents Column" No atten-
with mil ,,a, md address Of writer
Our readers are requested to inclose n stamp for
reply TO their inquiries. Postal cards will be
narily be made within n week and If in this coll
umn within three weeks.l
j. b. D., MiItrook. Ran.-If q soldier files de-
claratory statement on piece Of land and falls to
go on the same, does he become thereby debarred
OF his homestead and prescription rghts3 Ansrer.
II the soldier did not 60 upon his land and make
settlement within six months after date OF Ming
his declaratory statement, then bis rights as q
homestead settler forfeited; but he would still
have the right to pre-empt.
C. H.. Prattsburg Ran.-A man enlisted for three
years, but was discharged in less than 60 days for
disability. Can his homestead residence be credited
by three years7 dRstrer. Yes; IL the disease which
disabled him was contracted in the service and line
OF duty, the whole period will be deducted.
y. H., Terra Alta, W. Yd-l. Is the Pension De-
partment much behind In Its work, and does 1t
take as long TO get pension now as II did two
years agof 2. When does n pension for new dis
ability commence where there are no arrearsf
AnstUer. l. The Office is probably up with Its work.
IL the claim is completed in every respect 1t will be
taken up and acted upon within n short time.
two years ago. q From the date when the same
80, 1850
J. ". L., South ST. Louis Mol. A widow whose
husband was killed In the late remarries
second husband, who fares likewise. They had
both been soldiers of the Mexican war. To what
pension Is this lady entitled? 2. pensioner mar
r1es and dies. Does his pension 60 TO the widow
during her life, or does il die with him? AnsUer.
J. The law prohibits the payment OF more than one
pension TO the same person. III the widow elects
to take the pension granted the widows of Next
can war soldiers she will receive Sl2 per month;
that Is, If her husband was enlisted man. Her
title TO pension widow of the first husband
ceased upon her remarrying. q The pensions OF
soldiers end with their death but in case the death
was due TO n disease for which pension had been
allowed, or to some other disability incurred In
line of duty in the service the widow would be en-
titled to pension without regard TO that which her
husband was receiving. Same will commence from
the date she files her claim II the soldiers death
was not due To cause which originated In the
service, then she would have no title to pension.
A. Il, Monroe, focd-I made a soldiers filing on
aquarter section of land in Kansas June 30, 1887;
also, filed my homestead on same Oct. 81. 1887 Is
II within six months of my first or last filing that
must enter upon the land? Ans,rer Within six
months after making the first declaratory state
ment. We presume you fled declaratory state
ment.
r. H., Independence Iotrd-There Is little ques-
ton that but comparatively few pensioners who
have been rated above total " and less than one
third (sls) are aware that under the law raising
the value of that onethrd to S2i they are entitled
10 the pro-rGta increase. For instance: A man
rated at two-thirds of the third grade, or sl2 Is
entitled under the recent law TO SIG, being two
thirds OF S2I. AnSioer. Your construction of this
pension law is erroneous. In the first place, only
portion OF the pensioners who are receiving the
third grade of pensions can obtain S2L The law
| does not extend 10 all who are pcnsioned at els,
but only includes n certain number. Therefore.
| those who were pensioned ut less sums than SIS
were not entitled To increase unless there was
increase Of their disability. There is such rating
| as two-thirds Of the third grade.
Il. q. j., Jennings, Ld.-Three years ago took n
homestead. Can apply my service in the war as
n credit thereon, although the entry was not that
| of soldiers homestead? 4nsirer. Yes; you can
change your filing to n soldiers homestead If you
desire.
J. ". w.. Portland, Mieh-My brother died in
| 1876 after filing claim for pension. His widow
cOmDletpd the claim and has hapn notified of its
| allowance. Will the money be paid her? Can she
retain il against the heirs or children? Ahsrer.
The money belongs solely to the widow. The
children have no right to n share of the pension,
| unless she wishes them TO have portion oft.
4. 4. r., East Sd0inag, Mieh.-Whiie a prisoner
/ contracted scurvy. What proof IL necessary to
establish my claim for pension therefor? AnSrer.
The origin of the disease in the service and treat
ment for the same II possible. condition at dis
charge, its continuance thereafter, by which you
| had been disabled for the performance of manual
labor during each and every year since your dis
charge from the service.
| II. O., Morgan Centre PI-l. Why must n PEN
sioneT's claim be placed before Special Examiner
How long will n soldier have to wait for statement
after the papers shall have reached the hands of
/ the Special Examiner, all necessary testimony
having been furnished and action of the Adjutant-
Generals Office secured? 2 IL soldier IS pen
stoned at 81 per month 10 years after mourning his
disability, and upon receiving his pension money
asks for a reraing and receives Ii, the new allow
ance being 81 per month, Is he not entitled to
arrears by reason of the reratiug? ARsIrer. l.
Claims referred 20 Special Examiner for
various reasons. including. among others, that of
rerating; IL the claim be not sufficiently proven.
or the testimony Gle be not in conformity with
the excellence required by the Pension Office or II
there be suspicion of fraud in the case, etc. IL is
impossible To say when a claim will be reached. il
| IL has been referred to a Special Examiner. In
some parts of the Department the work has accu-
mulated TO such an extent that claims cannot be
| reached for many months. .. The Pension Office
| would not give arrears in such a case because IL
must be presumed that all the facts taken into
| consideration when the original rating was given
! the date when the medical examination shall have
been had in the claim for increase which establishes
his right thereto. In other Divisions the work is
entirely brought mp TO date. Tie Special Examiner
who has charge OF your claim can give you all the
information you desire regarding the probable time
| when he will take up your claim
C. X, Syracuse Eer.-what was a gold dollar
worth from 1861 TO 1872? AnSrer. The highest
and lowest prices of gold In New York ranged as
follows: In 1864 ii. 2S5 l. 1917; in 1863 III. 234 l..
l2sl; in 1885, II. 1873. L. l25l in 1867, ii. 1863.
l. 1875; In 1858, III. $50. L. 1872 In 1862 III. 1921 l..
Il9lz; in $780, II. l23 L. no; in 1871. ii. lI55s, L.
| s. A. T.. 81. Louis, Mo.-IIow can obtain dupli-
cate discharge from the Navy Department? An
sirer. You cannot obtain one. for there Is no law
| authorizing the issuance of such.
| NJ d., WinOnd, KdH.-l. VIII the event OF mar
rying affect the homestead rights Of young lady
who still continues 10 live and cultivate her
claim? Can her husband also hold his? 3 In
1880 made homestead entry on so acres. Hav-
ing proved up, can take 50 more? AHsicer ].
No, provided each complies with the laws regard
ing residence and civilizations; that Is, each would
have TO live upon as well cultivate IL. 2 No;
he must abide by his original selection.
4. J. H.. Decker. IHd.-Drew pension seven years
ago as the widow of Elias Bunch then re-
married but have been deserted by my husband
If procure a divorce can be restored To- the PEN
sion rolls7 AnsUer. You cannot be restored. When
you remarked you forfeited forever your title "a
pension and though you should become n widow
again il would not operate to restore your right.
A. n. IT., Patton, Iad.-l am pensioned at SIS pei
month for the loss of right shoulder
Does the act which granted this allowance debaI
me from communication for artificial arm? 4nsuer
No.
VA g., FTaneesriIe, Ind.-After filing claim on
three disabilities. was allowed pension but
one, the other two being rejected ou the ground oil
insufficient evidence. filed testimony in n new
| application to have r. jecied disabilities allowed
What will be the next step in the case? Anstrer
As we do not have access To the papers in any pen
sion claim, il is impossible for to give you the
condition Of your claim. The best method for YOU
10 pursue Is TO write TO the Commissioner of Pen.
sions and ask him what further testimony, If any
is necessary To complete your claim on the remain
ing disabilities.
| pending before the last Congress. When shall bC
Informed OF its result? Ansrer You will never
| hear from that bill, because IL expired with til,
Congress. IL will have TO be introduced again anC
| taken up Just ns though IL had never been intro
| duced All bills introduced before any session
must be acted upon during that session. They can
! | not be considered by any subsequent one.
H. j., Seneca Mo.-An officer holding the rank o
Major while commanding his regiment was severe
| ly wounded. lie subsequently, promoted Il
, the ranks Of Leutenant-Colonel aud Colonel. III
draws pension for his wound. II rank affects hi
pension is lie not by late ruling of the Department
entitled to proportonate increase? AnSrCer. Their
Is no late law on the subject. Pension can only b.
| paid If the rank was actually held by the Office
| when he received his wound; that is Major TIL
N. f.s0tsa